A Sense Of Home
Last week, I pondered over something close to home. The concept of home. A friend based in Los Angeles was back in Singapore for his son’s National Service enlistment. His wife is Taiwanese, his son was born in America. I got to know him last …
The Promise
Recently an episode of a long running TV series on Netflix pointedly focused on being a father. A successful surgeon went on a countryside trip, sat in a restaurant all day, waiting. He was hoping the elderly owner of the restaurant would recognise him. He …
Daniel Yun: Journey Of A Singaporean Filmmaker
A single-minded focus of being the best drove and defined the former boss of MediaCorp Raintree Pictures During last year’s mid-autumn festival (中秋节), a day when ethnic Chinese worldwide celebrate what is also called Mooncake festival by gathering with family and eating sweet moon-shaped pastry, …
My Father
When I was growing up, I thought my father would be around forever. Many of us make this same mistake. I was lucky he was around to see me through some milestones in life. Tomorrow is Ching Ming again. This year, we are praying at …
A Marriage That Works
Two evenings ago, my eldest sister Lucy came by with her husband Richard, to visit my mother. They brought some durians for her. It was dinner time. While we were talking, she told us matter-of-factly that it was their 46th wedding anniversary. The 5th of …
Her Bottle Of Chilli
We often hear someone lament, ‘I miss my mother’s cooking’. There is something about our mother’s cooking that stays with us. In all ways positive. In all ways wonderful. I have often wondered if it is the way our taste buds are conditioned. That we …
My Mother And Her Brother
Recently, my mother has been asking about her brother. Does he stay in Australia or Guangzhou? She forgets. In Hainanese, they sound similar. I told her he is residing in Australia, in Sydney. My mother has four brothers, all older than her. Only this brother, …
The Glow Of The Mid Autumn Lanterns
I always see September as a month when changes start for the year. It begins with the weather. It becomes decidedly colder. In tropical Singapore, it becomes cooler, with rain and more rain. In fact it has been raining almost everyday. The sun has taken …
Ah Pa Can You Hear Me?
2012 seems to be coming to an end. Earlier than I am ready for it to end. 2011 was not a good year. And this year looks like it may not end on a positive note. Which is why I am not ready for it …
The 26th of July
This date is special because it is my birthday. Over the years, when the number 26 pops up, there is a warm feeling, almost an ownership of this number, or at least an association. In life, there is much to celebrate. And to be grateful …